Group Discussion Worksheet: Starting a GD

Debate lesson 18: Starting a group discussion · Set 111 · 40 questions

Debater's tip (Open the door for everyone): Strong start: define the key word, a relevant fact, a short clear question, a quick real example, the scope of the topic. Weak start: a long story, a wrong fact, shouting to be first, repeating the topic, a joke off the topic, “sorry”. Use the thinking time to note 2–3 key points; start only if you are ready.

1. 1.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) a quick real example (c) linking to daily life (d) reading from notes
2. 2.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “In our class survey, 30 of us said we use screens daily — so this topic matters.” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
3. 3.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) defining the key word (c) a brief, sharp point (d) a relevant fact
4. 4.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a short, clear question? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
5. 5.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “I’ll go first because I’m the best speaker here.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
6. 6.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) repeating the topic (b) linking to daily life (c) starting with “sorry” (d) reading from notes
7. 7.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Let’s first be clear what we mean by ‘screen time’.” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
8. 8.🚀 Before you speak in a GD, you should… (a) check your phone (b) memorise a speech (c) note 2–3 key points (d) close your eyes
9. 9.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) reading from notes (b) a wrong fact (c) a joke off the topic (d) setting out the scope
10. 10.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) a joke off the topic (c) a relevant fact (d) a long story first
11. 11.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) a brief, sharp point (c) repeating the topic (d) defining the key word
12. 12.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a long story first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
13. 13.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) a joke off the topic (b) a long story first (c) starting with “sorry” (d) defining the key word
14. 14.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Friends, before we pick a side, let’s look at both.” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
15. 15.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “The topic is the topic, and that is what it is.” (a) a strong opening line (b) a weak opening line
16. 16.True or false: “a joke off the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
17. 17.🚀 Should you rush to speak first in every GD? (a) only if well prepared (b) always, at any cost (c) never speak first
18. 18.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) a relevant fact (c) mumbling the start (d) a short, clear question
19. 19.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Could we start by asking what a good school canteen looks like?” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
20. 20.True or false: “repeating the topic” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
21. 21.True or false: “defining the key word” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
22. 22.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: shouting to be first? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
23. 23.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: reading from notes? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
24. 24.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) defining the key word (c) a quick real example (d) a relevant fact
25. 25.True or false: “shouting to be first” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
26. 26.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) shouting to be first (b) a brief, sharp point (c) a wrong fact (d) a joke off the topic
27. 27.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a quick real example (b) defining the key word (c) a calm, clear voice (d) a joke off the topic
28. 28.🚀 Strong or weak opening line for a GD? “Let me tell you about my holiday in great detail…” (a) a weak opening line (b) a strong opening line
29. 29.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) linking to daily life (b) setting out the scope (c) a quick real example (d) a wrong fact
30. 30.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a calm, clear voice (b) starting with “sorry” (c) defining the key word (d) a relevant fact
31. 31.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a joke off the topic? (a) a weak start (b) a strong start
32. 32.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) repeating the topic (b) reading from notes (c) shouting to be first (d) a quick real example
33. 33.🔍 Which is the odd one out? (a) a long story first (b) linking to daily life (c) repeating the topic (d) a wrong fact
34. 34.True or false: “a brief, sharp point” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
35. 35.Which of these is a weak way to start a GD? (a) a long story first (b) a quick real example (c) defining the key word (d) a calm, clear voice
36. 36.🚀 Strong or weak start to a GD: a wrong fact? (a) a strong start (b) a weak start
37. 37.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) setting out the scope (b) a wrong fact (c) starting with “sorry” (d) shouting to be first
38. 38.True or false: “starting with “sorry”” is a strong way to start a GD. (a) True (b) False
39. 39.True or false: “a wrong fact” is a weak way to start a GD. (a) False (b) True
40. 40.Which of these is a strong way to start a GD? (a) shouting to be first (b) starting with “sorry” (c) a long story first (d) a short, clear question

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